KUALA LUMPUR: Wisma Putra's recall of senior diplomats for reported failures during the Prime Minister's visit to the United Arab Emirates last month is an internal matter that should be resolved prudently, says a former foreign affairs minister.

       Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar (pic) stressed that politicisation of the issue by any quarters would affect the image of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the government, as well as Malaysia's reputation on the international stage.

       "The practice of recalling diplomats due to a huge flaw during an official visit is normal; other countries also recall their ambassadors within 24 hours, so it is not something unique to Malaysia.

       "I know I cannot speak on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Minister or the Prime Minister's Office; but to me, it should have been handled better," he said when contacted on Thursday (April 14).

       Wisma Putra had said in a statement on Monday (April 11) that the Ambassador to the UAE and the Consul General in Dubai had been recalled.

       The reason was their apparent failure in coordinating protocol matters that resulted in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s long wait at the arrival hall for passport clearance by Dubai Immigration during his March 29-31 visit, the statement added.

       Apart from that, Wisma Putra said security measures as well as motorcade movements that should have been provided for Ismail Sabri as per standard operating procedures were also nonexistent.

       Based on his experience, Syed Hamid said the basic protocol for handling a visit by the head of government had been in place for a long time.

       He believed, however, that communication issues led to the problem.

       He added that in common practice, there were differences between official visits, working visits and personal visits, as each type would get a different response from the host nation.

       "Even for personal visits, it is the (norm) that our ambassadors in the host country, due to their calibre, will coordinate basic protocol for the prime minister such as security and so on. It’s something very basic and the incident should not have happened.

       "In instances like this, the (foreign) minister must deal with and manage the issue wisely. It is a question of responsibility and accountability. Improvements need to be made.

       "It used to be common practice that when there is a visit by the prime minister, the (foreign) minister will go first. I would arrive a day or two earlier and ensure all the preparations (were in place). I don't know what it’s like now,” Syed Hamid said.

       On Malaysia and UAE's bilateral relations, Syed Hamid said the issue was not likely to affect long-term ties as the actual relationship between the countries was friendly and deep. – Bernama